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In his narcissistic way, Donald Trump - while at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday, July 25th, 2017 - patted himself on the back as being the greatest president the United States has ever had, except for Abraham Lincoln. "With the exception of the late, great Abraham Lincoln, I can be more presidential than any other president that's ever held this office."
President Lincoln would never have defended racism and bigotry. President Lincoln would never have used the despicable words that Donald Trump spoke on Tuesday, August 15th, when Trump painted neo-Nazis and white supremacists as victims. President Lincoln was against the ugliness that Donald Trump defended in the most disgraceful press conference I have ever witnessed in my life.
It was President Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, on January 1st, 1863, which changed the federal legal status of more than 3-million slaves of the South...and ordered them to be free. President Lincoln would never have equated blacks of his era to the abominable slave owners who wrongfully degraded and brutally abused innocent human beings and considered them property not people. At this point, I am not sure what Donald Trump is capable of saying or doing.
Donald Trump can never rank himself in the same league with Abraham Lincoln. The name Donald Trump should never be spoken in the same breath with our beloved 16th President.
It was Saturday, August 12th when white supremacists and neo-Nazis - carrying racist signs, Ku Klux Klan banners, and swastikas on Nazi flags - performed domestic terrorism on the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, where one person was senselessly killed and nineteen others were injured. A 32-year old woman - Heather Heyer - was savagely murdered by a 20-year old Ohio man...when a car driven by him...plowed through a crowd on a street...in this generally quiet community. I won't include the name of the killer in this column, as it nauseates me to even think of it...and I don't want to give him any fame whatsoever.
One witness told NBC News that the vehicular assault "was very clearly intentional." The witness noted..."From the far end of the street, (the car) accelerated...slowed down right before the crowd...and then slammed on the gas through the crowd...sending bodies flying. And then it reversed back in to the street, dragging bodies and clothes." The driver of the car is in custody and has been booked on a felony count of second degree murder. He could eventually be charged with federal domestic terrorism and a hate crime.
Later that day, two Virginia state police troopers were killed in a helicopter disaster...when their chopper crashed and burned in a wooded area...as the officers were patroling near the violent rally that was billed as "Unite The Right." Law enforcement authorities in Virginia reported that the courageous cops were on board the whirlybird in an effort to "assist public safety resources with the ongoing situation in Charlottesville." The F.B.I. has begun a civil rights investigation on the Charlottesville riot of death.
Yet, at that infamous August 15th news conference - held at Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump had the audacity and the unmitigated gall to compare the viciousness and maliciousness by neo-Nazis, white supremacists and members of the Ku Klux Klan to those they were opposing in this deadly protest. There are "very fine people on both sides," declared Trump. He blames "both sides" for the "violence."
As President of the United States, Donald Trump stood before the American people and legitimized monsters who chanted painful and hateful phrases about Jews, blacks and other minorities. For Trump to support such a diabolical demonstration is reprehensible.
The so-called "alt-right" activists were originally protesting in opposition to the removal of a bronze statue of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee, which stands in Charlottesville's Emancipation Park, formerly called Lee Park. But these Nazi bastards...and these white supremacists, white nationalists and Ku Klux Klan men...are the scum of the earth. They are cut from the same hideous fabric that tragically brought the world Adolf Hitler. So let's not put lipstick and perfume on the name "alt-right" and make it anything, but what it really is; an organization of depraved and degenerate slimebags. This group wants to kill Jews. It's Nazism. It's racism in its worst form. These evil creatures want to kill anyone whose skin color is black, brown or anything other than white. To call these wicked lowlifes... "animals"...would be an insult to the four-legged, warmblooded mammals of our planet. Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, white supremacists and others of their sick ilk are heinously satanistic...and their coldblooded actions must be stopped.
Instead of an unequivocal and unambiguous condemnation by Donald Trump, he - on Saturday afternoon, August 12th at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club - read this statement. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides...on many sides." But in those remarks, Trump never specifically denounced neo-Nazis, the KKK and white supremacists. He did not pinpoint the disgust in our country and call them by name.
Trump's "many sides" comment found him being chastised by Democrats and Republicans alike...reportedly even from members of his own Administration. So under extreme pressure to be more "presidential"...Trump - on Monday, August 14th - came forward and read this prepared speech. "Racism is evil...and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs...including the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists...and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."
But then...Donald Trump became Donald Trump once again. His August 14th teleprompter remarks were not from his heart. They did not truly reflect the feelings of Donald Trump...and many of us in our country suspected it...and knew it. They were words written by one or more staffers who advised Trump that it was...what needed to be said. But after doing it, Trump wasn't going to leave it there. He wasn't going to let anyone get away with telling him what he should do. So on Tuesday, August 15th...in a deeply disturbing and repulsive display of reckless behavior...Trump, once again, changed his tune and his tone. And he, therefore, proved to me one more time...that for which I have written over the last two years...that Donald Trump is a seriously ill and mentally deranged person who is unfit to serve as our nation's president. And that he not only needs to be impeached and removed from office, but he needs to be committed and institutionalized. Donald Trump is certifiable. He is a danger to our country and to the citizens of it.
The GOP must totally break ties from Donald Trump. Republicans on Capitol Hill and in governors' mansions nationwide must run for their lives and away from Trump. No Republican senator...no Republican congressman...no GOP governor or politician whatsoever should ever stand next to Trump. And obviously fearing public ridicule and a loss of future profits to their businesses, the chief executive officers of some of the nation's largest companies - who served on Trump's manufacturing advisory council - decided to abandon the group because of Trump's controversial comments at his press conference. It's apparent they want nothing to do with Trump.
Donald Trump is the only U.S. president in history to be praised by a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. In a tweet on August 15th, David Duke wrote..."Thank you President Trump for your honesty and courage to tell the truth about #Charlottesville and condemn the leftist terrorists in BLM (Black Lives Matter)/Antifa (Antifascist Movement)."
Prior to the eruption of violence in Charlottesville, on August 12th, Duke spewed his venom in a video, where he paid tribute to Donald Trump. The former KKK leader stated..."We are determined to take our country back. We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That's why we voted for Donald Trump. Because he said he's going to take our country back. That's what we gotta do."
Let us all remember that there are members of Trump's inner circle...people in his Administration...who he appointed...who are known to be involved...associated...or, at the very least, linked in some form...with white nationalists, white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan and the neo-Nazis. Donald Trump is using taxpayers' money to pay the salaries of hateful, prejudiced and bigoted people who work in The White House. No such person should ever be employed by any federal government department or agency.
Trump's comments at his August 15th press conference are inexcusable and unforgivable. No decent American should support Trump? I want former President Barack Obama...former President George W. Bush...former President Bill Clinton... former President George H. W. Bush...and former President Jimmy Carter...to stand together and jointly call for the resignation of Donald Trump. And Vice President Mike Pence...along with a majority of Trump's Cabinet members...should invoke the 25th Amendment. Section 4 of that Amendment states that if they decide that for whatever reason, Trump is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office"...such a statement in writing would be sent to the Speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate. Vice President Pence would then become "acting president." Trump could dispute that decision and a two-thirds majority vote in both Congressional chambers would be necessary to keep the vice president in charge. Without those numbers, Trump would resume his powers and remain in office. But after Trump's news conference, I am confident that Congress would go along with Pence and the Cabinet.
White House staffers say Trump "went rogue" at his meltdown press conference. And they were stunned by his rant. Arms folded and his head down, newly appointed White House chief of staff, retired U.S. Marine Corps General John Kelly appeared nervously troubled as he waited off to the side during Trump's "Q and A" with reporters. Personally, I could never work for anybody who uttered such vile language as Donald Trump did. But then - knowing what Kelly knew about Trump before he took the job - I'm surprised he had any interest in joining the presidential team at all...even to serve - as he did previously - as Secretary of Homeland Security, let alone as White House chief of staff. It's too soon to be sure whether Kelly will part ways with Trump. But if he's smart, he'll run, not walk, to the closest exit of The White House...and not look back.
Donald Trump has embarrassed the United States, as a nation...and he has embarrassed each and every American who has a conscience and who cares about their fellow man and their fellow woman...no matter their race, religion or ethnic heritage.
August 15th, 2017 is a date all Americans should etch in their minds, as that day was the beginning of the end for Donald Trump as president. Trump dug a hole for himself on Saturday, August 12th, which he tried to dig out of on Monday, August 14th. But at his news conference on Tuesday, August 15th...Donald Trump not only dug himself a deeper hole...but he metaphorically began his own political funeral. And it won't be too long before Congress...Trump's Cabinet...or the American people... shovel over the dirt...and bury him.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
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The following comment was posted on Gary B. Duglin's Facebook page at 1:16 PM on August 17th, 2017. Since the writer included his name on Facebook, it will be published here, as well.
ReplyDelete"As a psychologist I am prohibited from diagnosing an individual without having a personal interview with that person. However, I would like to list the criteria used in the psychiatric field to diagnose a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (exaggerates achievements and talents); is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, etc (example would be having the delusion that he had a larger crowd than the previous president at his inauguration); requires excessive admiration; has a sense of entitlement; is interpersonally exploitative; lacks empathy. i.e. cannot recognize or identify with the feelings of others; is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him; and, shows arrogant behavior and attitudes. Does this match our current president?" - Michael Koski
The following response to the above reader's comment was posted by Gary B. Duglin on his Facebook page at 9:56 AM on August 19th, 2017.
DeleteMichael, thank you very much for your comments regarding my column. As a psychologist, your discussion above about Narcissistic Personality Disorder is quite telling. Yes, Donald Trump "has a grandiose sense of self-importance." Yes, he "exaggerates achievements and talents." Yes, he "is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, etc." Oh yes, very true that Trump has "delusion(s) that he had a larger crowd than the previous president at his inauguration." Yes, he "requires excessive admiration." Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes to everything you have stated. You gave a great deal of thought to composing your comments, and with your professional expertise, hopefully others - who may be in doubt about the situation we have in The White House - may now open their eyes...and their minds...and both very wide. GBD
The following comment was posted on Gary B. Duglin's Facebook page at 1:25 PM on August 17th, 2017. Since the writer included his name on Facebook, it will be published here, as well.
Delete"continuing from above: There is a form of Narcissistic Personality Disorder that is called "malignant." It is a sign of severe mental illness and makes the person almost delusional in their beliefs and quite dangerous, especially when their "specialness" is challenged. Often in people with this disorder, underneath the outward sense of being special and entitled is a deep sense of vulnerability and anxiety and fear. The underlying fear is defended against by the narcissism. When such a person is attacked or the suggestion is made that he made an error, he often reacts violently, attacking viciously the person challenging his sense of entitlement (as, in irrational, hateful tweets). This person is difficult to treat because he feels that the "problem" resides in others who can see or understand how special he is, rather than look inward to acknowledge his deficits. This is particularly dangerous in a person who is the president of the United States. It can lead to acting unpredictably and irrationally interpersonally and more important around other leaders. Trump is over 70 years old. He will not change. He will continue to become more unhinged over the next few months as he hears and sees more threats to his sense of entitlement and brilliance. My anger resides not so much in him but more so in the spineless staff and politicians who continue to make excuses for him. They have made a Faustian bargain with him in the hopes he will help them achieve their political and social agenda. They will only abandon him when they sense their political future is being endangered; not out of a sense of moral outrage. I am not very optimistic of what lies ahead. He will continue to bring more chaos to the political and social arena as he descends further into his mental illness." - Michael Koski
The following response to the above reader's comment was posted by Gary B. Duglin on his Facebook page at 10:16 AM on August 19th, 2017.
DeleteMichael, thank you very much for continuing your comments about Donald Trump in reference to my column. Your remarks as a professional in the field of mental illness are insightful. I am not a psychologist. I hold no educational degree in the field of psychology, as you do. However, that being said, I'm - in a strange way - pleased...to see that my analysis of Donald Trump - in columns I have written over the last two years - have been right on the mark, based on your description of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Following my research, I discussed NPD in an earlier column, but not being a psychologist, some of my readers were critical of my non-professional thoughts - despite that research. Perhaps now, they will accept your views as someone who has studied psychology throughout your adult life. Donald Trump is, without question, dangerous and delusional. What fears me is that when someone who is so irrational and so "unpredictable" (to use your word), that - to quote you - "when such a person is attacked or the suggestion is made that he made an error, he often reacts violently." Americans need to be concerned that Donald Trump could, at some point, actually "stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue (in New York City) and shoot somebody." But believe me...he would indeed lose voters. Trump's mental illness is more than troubling for our nation. Please read my new column, published on August 18th, 2017 - WHAT THE HELL IS CONGRESS WAITING FOR? HOW MUCH MORE CAN AMERICA TAKE WITH DONALD TRUMP AS PRESIDENT? - and I believe you will have a lot more to say. I look forward to your future comments. Thank you again for your thoughts, which all Americans should recognize. GBD